Mills Godwin Baseball has a strong tradition of competitive baseball excellence. We stress team baseball and a "We over me" attitude. Godwin High School has won 2 State Championships (1987 and 1999), 9 Central Region Championships and 18 District Championships and 500 wins since 1982 (505-157  .762 winning percentage). Numerous players have gone on to play at the college and professional level. We hope you enjoy our web site and we hope to see you at a Godwin Baseball game in the future. This site is not affliated with Godwin High School and is maintained by Coach John Marano.

Senior SS and UVa. bound Reed Gragnani has been selected to the All Region Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association for 2009.  Reed is a District 2 selection that encompasses the states of NC, VA, WVa, PA,DC, DEL, NJ and Maryland.  Congratulations to Reed for receiving this National Award from the ABCA.

In addition Reed and rising senior Adam Blankinship have been selected by the Times Dispatch Newspaper to the 2009 All Metro Team.  Reed is a 2 time All Metro Shortstop while Adam is making the All Metro team for the first time as an outfielder.  Both Reed and Adam have been All District, All Region, All State and now All Metro selections for the 2009.  Congratulations to these young men on their baseball acheivements during the 2009 season.

Rising senior Adam Blankinship has been selected as one of the 16 players from the Central Region to play in the Commonwealth Games in Roanoke in July.  The Commonwealth games pick the best 64 high school players to play for the West, East, North and Central teams.  Over 100 college and professional scouts attend the games to watch these players show case their talents.  This season Adam was first team All District, All Region and Honorable Mention All State.  Congratulations to Adam and best of luck in the Commonwealth games this July.

2009

Graham Stoneburner Round 14  New York Yankees

Reed Gragnani Round 27  Boston Red Sox

2008
Justin Bristow Round 5    Chicago Cubs    Signed
Eric Fornataro Round 7    St. Louis Cardinals   Signed

2007
Kris Rochelle       Round 22   Detriot Tigers C Signed
Davis Stoneburner Round 9    Texas Rangers   SS Signed

2006
Charlie Yarbrough Round 7    Philadelphia Phillies   1B Signed

2005
Justin Bristow    Round 22    K C Royals       SS/P Did not sigg

2003
Matt Moses         Round 1      Minnesota Twins 3B Signed
Kris Rochelle       Round 50    Chicago Cubs      C  Did not sign

The Godwin Eagles lost to the Hanover Hawks in the Central Region Semi Finals played at R F and P Park on Friday.  The score was 11-7.  Just before the first pitch the teams had to endure a one hour rain delay.  In the first inning Hanover hit 2 homeruns off Godwin starter Sophomore Matt Lees.  Jacob Mayer and Laine Denton helped Hanover to jump out to a 4-0 lead.  The Eagles put up 2 runs in the bottom of the second with the aid of a Hanover balk and a single by senior Zack Meeks to score junior George Moore.  Both teams traded runs but in the 6th inning Hanover scored 4 runs to take a 11-4 lead.  The Eagles crept closer with 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 11-7. Senior Kevin Buran contributed a home run in the 6th inning to help the Eagles.  Both teams had 11 hits and the Eagles committed no errors as the game ended.  George Moore and Senior Reed Gragnani both went 2-4 with Reed having 2 rbi's while Cory "Bob" Barker and sophomore Matt Lees went 2-3 on the night. 

The season ends with Godwin posting an 18-5 record.  Over the past two years this team has posted and over all record of 36-11 while going 25-2 in the Colonial District.  Seniors Reed Gragnani, Jack Saladino, Zach Meeks, Jon Gordon, Kevin Buran and Scott Tolson were tremendous team leaders for the Eagles this season.  This truly was a TEAM.  They never quit, they played for each other and supported each other on and off the field.  They embody what a team attitude means.  They understood that "together everyone accomplishes more".  As these seniors move on we want to extend our best wishes to Jack Saladino and Scott Tolson who will attend ODU and walk on to the baseball team there.  Seniors Kevin Buran and Reed Gragnani move on to the University of Maryland (Buran) and the University of Virginia (Gragnani) and we wish them well.  Jon Gordon will attend Va. Weslyn and Zack Meeks has not decided where to go next year but both young men were great team leaders and will do well wherever they attend.

This season saw the Eagles capture their second straight Colonial District Championship.  Godwin was the only team to play in both the 2008 and 2009 regional tournament.  Godwin also picked up the 500th win in school history, and accomplishment this program is very proud of. 

The coaching staff would also like to extend to the parents of these players a heartful thank you for you support of the team this year.  This was a great group of parents to work with and they understood the "team comes first" attitude we try to promote.  They were very supportive of all aspects of the baseball program this season and for that we thank you as they checked "personal agenda's" at the door.  While we would have really liked to play a few more games this was a very rewarding season.  Starting 0-2 and finishing 18-5 is a very strong year.  Next year we return 7 starters including Erik Payne, George Moore, Matt Lee's Tyler Lane, and Adam Blankinship who be returing for their 3rd varsity season and the Eagles expect to again contend for district, regional and State honors.

The Godwin Eagles defeated Cosby 4-3 in the Regional Quarter finals at Godwin.  Pitcher Kevin Buran went 5 innings striking out 9 while giving up 6 hits and 6 walks.  At the plate the senior bound for the University of Maryland went 3-3 with 2 RBI including the walk off single in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs to score senior Reed Gragnani for the winning run.  Reed opened the inning with a opposite field double moving to third base on a pass ball setting up Kevins walk off game winning hit.  Conner Brown was 2-3 with one RBI for the Eagles who are now 18-4 on the season.

With the win Godwin advances to the Regional Semi Finals at R F and P Park on Thursday.  Godwin will be the home team in the 5 PM contest.  Sophomore Matt Lees will be on the mound for the Eagles.  A win in the semifinals secures a berth in the AAA State Tournament to start next week.

 We hope you will be able to attend.

The Godwin Eagles placed senior Reed Gragnani and junior Adam Blankinship on the First Team All Region team for 2009.  Gragnani, 2 time Player of the Year in the Colonial District was named as the First Team Shortstop for the second year in a row.  Blankinship was named to the First Team as an outfielder after being name All District last week.  Two other Eagles were named to the All Region Team.  Senior Pitcher Kevin Buran was named to the Second Team and Junior George Moore was named as the Second Team Designated Hitter.

The Godwin Baseball program congratulates these young men on their District and Regional honors.  Gragnani and Blankinship now become eligible for the AAA All State Team to be selected in June. 

Godwin defeated Deep Run in the District Tournament Finals to claim the 2009 Regular Season Championship AND the District Tournament Championship.  In the first inning Adam Blankinship put the Eagles on the scoreboard with his 4th home run of the season.  On the night George Moore was 2-3 with a double and 4 rbi's.  Moore has had 8 rbi's in his last 2 games.  Erik Payne had 2 rbi's and Matt Lees and Connor Brown had 2 hits each to pace the Godwin scoring.  Sophomore Matt Lees picked up his 8th win of the season scattering 6 Deep Run hits.  The win raises Godwin's record to 17-4 on the season.

Regional play starts Tuesday with Cosby High School coming to Godwin for a quarter final game.  Game time is 7 pm.  Cosby was the Dominion District Tournament Champion and currently has a record of 13-8. 

We hope you will be able to attend.

The All District Baseball Team for the Colonial District was selected on May 16th.  The Eagles, who went 13-1 in the district and 15-4 overall managed to get 10 on the All District Team. Congratulations to the following Mills Godwin Baseball players on their selection to the 2009 All District Baseball Team

Honorable Mention Catcher Jack Saladino Senior

Honorable Mention 3B Erik Payne Junior

Second Team 2B Conner Brown Junior

Second Team OF Tyler Lane Junior

Second Team  P Matt Lees Sophmore

First Team  P Kevin Buran Senior

First Team OF Adam Blankinship Junior

First Team DH George Moore Junior

First Team SS Reed Gragnani Senior

The 2009 Colonial District Player of the Year as selected by the District Coaches is Senior, Reed Gragnani.  Reed also was selected as the District Player of the Year in 2008.  He has signed a baseball scholarship to the University of Virginia for 2010 and is expected to be selected in the June Major League Draft.  Gragnani was also a 2nd team Pre-Season All American as selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association.  He has been selected to play in the Va. High School Association All Star game as a member of the East Squad.

Coach John Marano was selected as the 2009 Colonial District Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to all the Godwin Baseball players on receiving their All District Awards. 

The Godwin Eagles are the Colonial District Champions for 2009.  Senior Scott Tolson threw a 4 hit shut out as the Eagles defeated Maggie Walker 4-0.  The win gives Godwin its second consecutive District Championship. In 2008 the Eagles also won the district with a 12-1 district record.  Currently the Eagles are 12-1 in the district and 14-4 overall with one game to play.  On Thursday at 7pm the Eagles will play Douglas Freeman at Godwin.  It is the last regular season home game for our Seniors as we honor them and their parents before the game.  We are also making a contribution to the Lucy Saladino Scholarship fund with donations we took in from our annual fund raising event.  The donation will be presented to the Saladino family in our pre-game introductions.

With the Championship the Eagles earn a bye in the District tournament and automatically qualify for the Central Regional Tournament where we host a home game.

Congratulations to the 2009 Godwin Eagle Baseball team and to its SENIORS who have now won back to back championships.  

Introducing our 2009 Senior players, parents and their plans for next year:

Jack Saladino and his parents Beth and Chris.  Jack will attend ODU next year

Scott Tolson and his parents Mark and Nancy.  Scott will also attend ODU next year

Zach Meeks and his parents Devon and Alice Corrigan.  Zach is undecided about his college choice for next year at this time.

Reed Gragnani and his parents Rob and Karen.  Reed will attend UVa. next year on a baseball scholarship.

Jon Gordon and his mother Gayle Gordon.  Jon will attend Va. Weslyn College in the fall.

Kevin Buran and his parents Malcolm and Shari.  Kevin will attend the University of Maryland on a baseball scholarship.

We wish these players and their parents well in the future and thank them for their contributions to the Mills Godwin Baseball program.  They have been helpful, unselfish and supportive of every aspect of the baseball program.  We thank you! 

On Tuesday the Godwin Eagles defeated Patrick Henry High School by a score of 11-1. The game report will be posted later but with the win the Eagles have secured no worse than a tie for the Colonial District Championship.  Godwin must win one of our last 2 games to secure the Championship.  We play Maggie Walker on Wednesday at 6pm and Douglas Freeman, Senior Night on Thursday at 7PM

This win marks the 500th win in Godwin Baseball history.  28 years ago, current Godwin Head Basketball coach Hunter Thomas was the winning pitcher in the first game played at Godwin High School.  Last night Senior Kevin Buran picked up the win striking out 7 in 5 innings of play. Overall the Godwin Baseball program has a record of 505-157 and a winning percentage of .762.  That is an average of 18 wins per season.  When you are only allowed to schedule 20 games per year winning 18 per year means you have made it to the post season on a regular basis.  The 500 wins is a tribute to all the young men who have played in the Mills Godwin uniform.  It is a tribute to all the dad's who took the time to teach their sons the game at an early age.  It's a tribute to the Tuckahoe Little League program where our players got their early baseball education and developed.  Its a tribute to the hours and hours our players have spent hitting in cages in their own backyards and with private coaches. It's a tribute to the coaches at Byrd and Pocahontas Middle School who coached our players before they got to Godwin.  It's a tribute to the young men who have played travel ball with local AAU teams.  In general its a tribute not only to the skill level our players bring to the program but also to the parents and coaches who have given of their time to make the Godwin Baseball program a special moment in many of our players lives. 

Congratulations to the 2009 Godwin Baseball team for picking up the 500th win in school history and to the 100's of players who helped build the program to be what is it today.

The 2009 baseball schedule is complete.  The Eagles who return 8 starters off a Colonial District Championship Team and a Regional Semi-Finalist, play a very tough Colonial District schedule as well as picking up Lee-Davis and Hanover of the Capital District and the 2 time defending AAA State Championship team of James River High School. 

Date   Opponent                 H/A      Time                                           Result 

March 11   Lee-Davis         Away   6PM                      Lee-Davis 12    Godwin 1                       

March 13   John Marshall   Away   4.30PM                   Godwin wins

March 17   J.R. Tucker       Home   6PM                       Godwin 3            Tucker 2

March 20   Deep Run    Away   7PM                             Deep Run 11       Godwin 1

March 24   T. Jefferson     Home   6PM                         Godwin 17           T.J. 2

March 27   M. Walker   Away    4.30 PM                       Godwin 18           Maggie Walker 1

March 31  Hermitage   Home   7PM                              Godwin 8             Hermitage 1

April  2      Patrick Henry    Away    6PM                        Godwin 2             Patrick Henry 0

Spring Break-3 games in LC Bird Invitational (Monacan, LC Bird, Meadowbrook)

                                                                                      Godwin 7            Monacan 1

                                                                                      Godwin 14          L.C. Bird 6 

April 21     Hanover   Away    7PM                               Hanover 3 Godwin 2

April 24    J.R. Tucker       Away     7PM                      Godwin 11           Tucker 7

April 28    Deep Run         Home     7PM                        Godwin 8            Deep Run 5

May 4      Douglas Freeman Away 6PM                        Godwin 2            Freeman 1

May 5     M. Walker          Home     6PM                      Godwin 4            MW 0

May 8    Hermitage  Away  7PM                                  Godwin 11          Hermitage 5

May 9    Hanover Home  3PM                                     Hanover 6           Godwin 5 

May 12  Patrick Henry Home      6 PM                          Godwin 11         Patrick Henry 1

May 14  D.S. Freeman Home 7PM Senior Night               Godwin 7          Freeman 1

May 18 District Tournament                                       Godwin 12        Patrick Henry 0

                      Colonial District Championship Game      Godwin 10        Deep Run   4

May 26 Central Regional Tournament-Quarter Finals Godwin 4          Cosby 3

   Central Regional Tournament  Semi Finals         Hanover 11       Godwin 7

June 1 AAA State Tournament 

Talk doesn't cook rice...Chinese proverb

“Nellie Fox, who was my idol growing up, told me early in my career that the guys who last the longest are the ones who do the most to help their teams win,” Morgan said. “So that’s what I did — put the team first.”         Joe Morgan-Cincinnati Red 2B and Hall of Famer, ESPN Broadcaster 

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.  John Kennedy, 35th U.S. President 

If you think you are really important, stick your finger in a glass of water then pull it out and see how big a hole it leaves.      Lou Holtz.